"Technology is developing so fast that the law cannot keep up," Gunn continued. "The problem with the [Digital Economy Act and the existing Copyright Act] is that they have too narrow a remit and cannot effectively deal with software piracy in its current form. Software deserves its own Act to protect software firms, especially the smaller ones, from IP infringement."

The meeting also heard from Andrew Heaney, director of strategy at leading UK ISP TalkTalk.

Heaney told attendees: "The DEA isn't a sledgehammer to crack a nut - it's a sledgehammer that misses the nut completely.

"Any legislation to combat file sharing needs to be proportionate, fair and balanced," said Heaney. "The problems with the DEA are the cost, the ineffectiveness and the unintended consequences, such as vicarious liability."

The issue of vicarious liability - of ISPs being made responsible for content illegally downloaded via their networks - is one that has dogged the controversial DEA.TalkTalk has previously joined a call for the legislation to be reviewed.

Heaney criticised rights holders for not engaging with ISPs to come up with a workable approach to piracy.

"There is an open door [at TalkTalk and other ISPs] to all parties who want to discuss solutions, but we've had silence from the other side," he said.